Issue 2058
Welcome to RV Travel’s Daily Tips Newsletter, where you’ll find helpful RV-related tips from the pros, travel advice, product reviews and more. Thanks for joining us. Please tell your friends about us.
Today’s thought
“You don’t concentrate on risks. You concentrate on results.” —Legendary test pilot Chuck Yeager
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Wisconsin Day!
On this day in history: 1965 – A new red-and-white maple leaf design is adopted as the flag of Canada, replacing the old Canadian Red Ensign banner.
Tip of the Day
Boondocking RV bathroom tips: Stay another day (or week) off-grid
By Cheri Sicard
When camping without the benefit of hookups, there are tips for every room in your RV that can help extend the amount of time you can spend off-grid before having to come in and reboot.
As I am generally not a fan of staying in RV parks any more than is absolutely necessary, I have accumulated quite a few boondocking tips over the years.
It’s a bummer to discover a great off-grid boondocking spot only to have to leave prematurely because you ran out of water, or because your holding tanks were getting full. While the 40 to 60 gallons of water your RV tank carries might seem like a lot, you can go through it mighty quickly if you are not careful.
Editor’s note: These tips will benefit other RVers, too, not just boondockers!
Live today: RV repair and maintenance advice
Dave is joined by Chris Dougherty to answer your questions about RV repair and maintenance
On today’s live Talkin’ RV Tech, Dustin takes the day off, but standing in will be Chris Dougherty, the former technical editor for Trailer Life and Motorhome magazines. Dave Solberg and Chris will answer your questions live about RV Repair and Maintenance from 4-5 p.m. Pacific time (7-8 p.m. in the East). So join them and pick their brains via chat. Ask questions or just lurk and soak up all the valuable information. You will learn soooooooo much!
Watch and ask questions here. RV Travel on YouTube • RV Travel on Facebook • California RV Specialists on YouTube • RV Travel on Linkedin
CONTEST! Is this your RV?
Win a $25 Amazon gift certificate if today’s RV photo shows your rig
Every day we post a photo of an RV either submitted by its owner or by our editors and writers as they move about the country.
Click here to see if your RV made it into today’s issue.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
My trailer has a soft floor. How much will it cost to fix?
Dear Dave,
The floor in front of the bedroom is soft. Also, on the opposite side of the RV, the floor is soft in front of the bathroom door. We haven’t pulled up the floor yet to see the extent of the damage, but let’s say it’s medium damage. What would it cost to fix this? —Barry, 2016 Rockwood ?
Video of the day
Amazing homemade camper shell for a Volkswagen Bug—before and after
By Cheri Sicard
This post has two videos: the before and after. In the first video, you will be introduced to one of the most unique homemade RVs ever: a camper shell for a Volkswagen Bug! And in the second, you’ll see its incredible restoration and transformation!
For Lovers Only…
To: Nynns
From: Sweetie
“You’re the second-best thing that has happened to me in my almost 70 years. It’s been such a great adventure for 48 years. Love you.”
We want to know what the first best thing is, Sweetie!
To: Goober
From: Also Goober
“I love you very much, honey 
. You saved me 22 years ago. You are the love of my life.”
Even though Valentine’s Day is over, we’ll continue this feature throughout the month since we got so many submissions. No more new submissions will be accepted, though.
Residential-type vs. absorption RV refrigerators
What’s best for you? Are fires a concern?
By Dave Solberg
There has been quite some discussion on residential versus RV refrigerators not only on RVtravel.com but on almost every forum out there. So I thought I would climb up on my dunk tank and let everyone take a shot! Read all about residential/compressor-driven refrigerators versus RV/absorption refrigerators here.
Reader poll
Have you ever called the police about an incident in your campground/RV park?
Helpful resources
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
• LATEST RV RECALLS
• DIRECTORY OF RV PARKS WITH STORM SHELTERS
• THE BEST RV TRIP PLANNER APPS AND TOOLS
Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.
Quick Tip
How to use a basement storage door as a table
You can use a basement storage door as a table, provided you can open it to “level” and then support it. Hit the thrift shops and buy a used photo tripod – the three legs make it sturdy and you can set and lock it at nearly any desirable height.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Bottle savers for the frugal RVer. Get every last drop!
- RV Review: Grand Design Momentum 21G toy hauler
- Ask Dave: Any safe lubrication for quick connect water connections?
- Recipe: Meatball Grinders
Website of the day
The Best Free BLM Camping in the American West
Pack up the RV and get her ready! After you see all these incredible and FREE places to camp, you’re going to want to hit the road.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Is this real?? Is this fake?? Can you eat it?? Is it toxic?? We’re not really sure, but it’s cute at least…
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Finding community in campgrounds, like going back to the 1950s
• What is the best water purifier?
• The best kind of wedgie: Andersen RV levelers
Recipe of the Day
Avocado Citrus Salad
by Nikki Smith From Hemet, CA
Light and refreshing, this avocado citrus salad is simple to make. The salad has creamy avocado and orange wedges to add bright flavor. With a little bite, red onions are a nice contrast. Sweet and tangy, the dressing is the perfect complement to all the flavors. A delicious salad for a light meal. This would be a great side salad with grilled fish or chicken, too.
Trivia
Yankee Doodle went to town / Riding on a pony; / He stuck a feather in his hat, / And called it macaroni… Wait, he called it a pasta? Nope! Back in the 18th century, British military officers knew “macaroni” to mean something entirely different. Back then, the term “macaroni” referred to men who were preoccupied with high fashion, stylized speech, and fine dining. Upper-class young English men toured Italy, loved the food, and brought it home with them. They also brought home new fashions so British officers called them “the Macaroni Club.”
*Yesterday we told you how many Americans purchase Valentine’s Day cards each year. Is it the most-popular card-giving holiday? Find out here.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Iggy is a loyal friend and protector. He loves going RVing and always enjoys new sniffs and exploring new terrain.” —I. Ira Hertz
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Saturday RV Travel newsletter. No blurry photos, please! Please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!
Secrets of RVing on Social Security
Author Jerry Minchey takes you on a journey that lets you discover how you can travel around the country and live the fascinating RV lifestyle for far less than it costs to live in your sticks-and-bricks home. Among other things, he shows you step-by-step how to enjoy the RVing lifestyle while traveling and living on just your Social Security income. Learn more or order.
Leave here with a laugh
Last February we wrote about the funniest camping commercials of all time and a whole year later they’re still making us laugh! Check these out.
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the latest Sunday News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.
Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): chuck@rvtravel.com
Advertising: Advertising@rvtravel.com
Help desk: Contact us.
Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
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Sorry that was in the BLM camping article
I-90 is in the NE corner of Wyo. Believe you were referring to I-80
Thanks for my morning laugh, the camping commercials were great!
On the question about calling police, it was yes, once. Tho it was when I was Workamping as a manager many years ago, we had a man that would get so drunk, park his truck half way on neighbor’s lawn, he walked over to apologize and broke the neighbors satellite when he tripped over it. Neighbor came told me, I talked to owner and I had to call the police to get him removed. His family came to get his rig. Not that I like to do it, but it was for his safety and everyone else’s. It wasn’t the first time apparently, before I started.
Why didn’t you post that in the “calling the police” article comments instead of here?
Hi, Gary. Sometimes folks just click on the wrong place unintentionally. Not a big deal. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Ya’ll go ahead and camp on the BLM lands, but practice the Leave No trace policy. I will stick to parks and campgrounds, and pick up trash left behind by slobs. So far I found two frying pans and a screw driver.
You know, you don’t have to lead the hordes by the damned nose to the great BLM spots. Half the joy of these places is finding them. Or used to be, until the Internet came along and people found themselves unable to resist the urge to publicize great spots. Knock it off.
You are being selfish and rude. Knock it off.
Not entirely. We have a couple of ‘secret’ boondock spots here in NV that we never talk about except in hushed tones to trusted friends.
Hey Tommy….thanks for letting us know your boondock spots are in NV…we’ll find them.
Hahaha. As stated in the article (I think), NV has the most BLM land of any state. You can pretty much just drive along, spot a dirt road leading off to ‘who-knows-where’, and follow it to a spot that looks good.
👌
Yep, in Oregon I have found about 30 of them that way.
No.